Landscape, Nature And Travel Photography

The Gulf Coast oil spill has really grabbed my attention as of late. While disturbing on multiple levels (particularly seeing the horrific wildlife photos via Boston.com’s The Big Picture) I grow increasingly concerned that people will start to filter it out and lose their empathy for the devastation that is happening and will continue to happen for years to come.

Last Friday on Twitter I recommended that others follow the sharp witted spoof PR site of @BPGlobalPR who has been very creatively raising awareness to the horrors of this oil spill. The person behind the account, Leroy Stick, has been selling T-Shirts and donating money to @HealthyGulf the twitter account for the Gulf Restoration Network.

If you haven’t already I recommend reading this article about Leroy Stick and his efforts – Leroy Stick – The Man Behind @BPGlobalPR

Also recommended…. sign the following petition:
BP’s Oil Drilling DisasterTell Obama to Federalize the Clean Up

Why? Think criminal activity not politics. Director James Cameron put it best…

“The government really needs to have its own independent ability to go down there and image the site, survey the site and do its own investigation,” he said.

“Because if you’re not monitoring it independently, you’re asking the perpetrator to give you the video of the crime scene,” Cameron added.
-  Director James Cameron says BP turned down help offer via Reuters

Know of other organizations or actions others can do to help in any way or form with the Gulf Oil Spill? Share links and information by adding a comment.

With that being said here are two biting statements made via the bigcaption.com that speak volumes to our own culpability (more after the jump) Read more…

I used to have the opportunity to look out at this view of the Channel Islands, off the coast of Santa Barbara, for 8 years, but seldom took the time to look and take it all in. Whether I was too busy to pause and fully enjoy the view or just took it for granted, it is one of my greatest regrets that I didn’t fully appreciate the beauty just beyond my front door.  This thought really crystalized during my last visit to Santa Barbara when I had the chance to photograph this amazing sunset. Funny how when you’re a visitor your senses are heightened in order to absorb as much of that location as possible, yet when you live in a particular location your senses are seemingly dulled over time contributing to a lack of awareness to the beauty of that place. These days I try to always stay in that “visitor” state of mind to investigate as much as iI can where ever I am.

Technorati Tags: photography, landscape, California, Channel Islands, nature, stock photo

The past several days I’ve been in Santa Barbara where I caught up both with family, as I attended my sister in-laws wedding, and on some long over due photography. It’s embarrassing to admit, but in the 8 years years I lived in Santa Barbara I never photographed the area. If you’ve never been, Santa Barbara is roughly 100 miles north of Los Angeles and is often called the American Riviera. Santa Barbara is among the most beautiful locations in California and is home to one of the most beautiful Spanish missions. I was very fortunate this weekend to not just photograph the mission, but to photograph the mission under a Blue Moon as it was setting. To say the least it was an awe inspiring experience to witness this moment… not to mention the happy union of my sister in-law with her new husband.

Santa Barbara Mission Under A Blue Moon

Technorati Tags: travel, photography, Santa Barbara, California, Santa Barbara Mission, blue moon, moon, stock photo